Examination of the form and content of 155 employment contracts or letters of appointment for college presidents found only about three-fourths were in the form of a true, explicit contract. Often the documents give an incomplete picture of the board actions governing presidential employment and the administrator's responsibility. (MSE)

Extended research on procedural justice by examining effects of a due-process performance-appraisal system on (government) employees' and managers' reactions. Employee-management pairs were randomly assigned to either a due-process appraisal system or the existing one. Although due-process employees received lower evaluations, both employees and…

Data from 1,309 persons who were working and became hard of hearing or deafened between the ages of 18 and 65 are analyzed to determine work outcomes in terms of occupation, perception of work achievement, earning power, support of supervisors and colleagues, and work adaptations. Data show that work success is possible and usual after…

College and university personnel managers are urged to pay more attention to employees who operate behind the scenes by: finding a champion among them; linking work with institutional mission; hiring the best; encouraging customer service; soliciting ideas; fostering trust; enlarging responsibility; not upstaging; providing the best equipment; and…

Noting that many broadcasting personnel value creative processes more than final products, this paper suggests a modified-process definition of creativity in which artistic concerns of production personnel and goal-oriented business requirements of management combine to form a structured system for creative endeavors. Characteristics of creative…

The College of William and Mary (Virginia) has filed a complaint in federal court against a professor, saying he should be liable for damages stemming from sexual-harassment litigation by a student. The move indicates concern among institutions that sexual-harassment liability remain with the perpetrators, not the institution. (MSE)

Using data on 1,257 women from a 1984 survey, attempts to identify factors associated with union formation among single mothers in Canada. Found that the age of mothers at the beginning of their first episode of single parenthood appears closely related to their chances of forming a union. Other results are discussed. (RJM)

A discussion of mandatory drug testing for college athletes reviews the National Collegiate Athletic Association's policy, arguments for and against such testing, the results of relevant court litigation, and the legal ramifications for college administration. The testing of employees in both public and private sectors is also briefly addressed.…

Discusses the need to understand the unique nature of illness and dying for each person and circumstance. Describes ways for center directors to deal sensitively with an employee's illness. Explores the impact of serious illness on child care programs and examines pitfalls to avoid in dealing with ill employees. (SM)

The important role of academic department secretaries at institutions of higher education is considered in the context of a survey of 121 academic department support staff. Possible strategies for retaining these valuable employees are offered, including accurate position descriptions, appropriate compensation, team-building programs, and special…

Increased casual employment and contract labor challenge the protective nature of Australian labor law. Laws and social policies should not cause casual and self-employed workers to be denied benefits nor allow employers to evade standards. (SK)

Discussion of telecommuting possibilities focuses on a program at Information Access Company that allows indexers and abstractors to work at home. Employer and employee expectations are discussed, equipment provisions are described, employee benefits are examined, and implications for the library environment are suggested. (LRW)

A few corporations are responding to the impact of family structural changes on workers' ability to balance their roles with flexible benefits and schedules and with training. Work/family issues are an integral part of career and life decision making and must be incorporated into the career development process. (SK)

Investigates whether individual levels of organizational commitment are related positively to perceptions of organizational climate and of communication climate. Finds that employees' perceptions of organizational climate and of communication climate were correlated positively with the level of employees' organizational commitment. (PRA)

Practical advice is offered, to managers and supervisors at any level, on recognizing and analyzing interpersonal conflicts, managing such conflicts and making them productive, and ensuring that performance reviews result in progress for both supervisor and employee. Conflict is seen as inevitable, an opportunity to take action, and manageable.…